Cornell vs. Staten Island

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Staten Island based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 11,033 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); College of Staten Island CUNY is in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1.

Cornell vs. Staten Island Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Staten Island? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Staten Island CUNY than Cornell ($6,525 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 8.2% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($19,428 vs. $21,155).
• Cornell University is 825.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $61,824 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 348.9% higher at Cornell than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $53,874 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Staten Island CUNY than at Cornell University (80% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 624.6% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($61,779 vs. $8,526).

Cornell vs. Staten Island Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell or Staten Island? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Staten Island and Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 470 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Staten Island - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 17% at Staten Island.

Cornell vs. Staten Island Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Staten Island? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $53,300 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $1,987 lower median loan debt than Staten Island graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,987).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Staten Island graduates ($124 vs. $144).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.